The Shirvanshahs were the rulers of the Shirvan State, or Shirvan Khanate, a historical region in the eastern Caucasus that occupied about 30% of the territory of Azerbaijan today. Its capital was in Shamakhi, one of the oldest cities in Azerbaijan and a prominent stop on the historic Silk Road.
1. From capital to crumbles
Historic mentions of Shamakhi date as far back as the 1st and 2nd centuries CE, being noted by cartographers as “Kamachia”. It became the capital of the Shirvan Khanate in the 8th century, growing to become one of the key towns along the Silk Road.

Disaster however stopped the capital’s development in its tracks. Located nearby the intersection of three tectonic plates, frequent and strong seismic activity ultimately brought the city literally to the ground. After a powerful earthquake crumbled Shamakhi in 1191, the Shirvanshahs moved the capital of the Khanate to Baku, building a new palace for their residence and the Fortress Wall around what is now known as the Inner City.
Other destructive tremors followed, wiping almost all traces of the former capital. Little of the historic city remains apart from the ruins of Narin Qala, Gulustan and Bughurt – fortresses once protecting Shamakhi but now sitting reclaimed by nature on remote mountaintops.
2. Remnants of a Khanate
One of the few reminders of the Khanate that remains somewhat intact today is the Yeddi Gumbaz Mausoleum, a complex of tombs belonging to the last ruler of the Shirvan state – Mustafa Khan (1748-1820) and his family. From the 7 domes, which reflect the style of the Shirvan architectural school, only 3 are still standing, Mustafa Khan, his wife and his mother being buried in the biggest one.
It is not only the members of the Khan’s family that are resting here. Mirza Alakbar Sabir, one of Azerbaijan’s most celebrated poets, known for his satirical work, is also buried at the site. And, with time, Shamakhi residents created their own cemetery around the domes, turning the area into the complex it is today.
Another remaining token is the Juma Mosque. Built in the 8th century, it is second oldest mosque in the Caucasus and the oldest in Azerbaijan. Having also suffered repeatedly from the impact of seismic activity, it has been reconstructed multiple times. The earthquakes of 1859 and 1902 were the most catastrophic. The latest restoration was carried out between 2010 and 2013, following a 2009 governmental order.

Now, it is one of the country’s largest and most lavish places of worship. The ancient internal planning organization of the mosque, characterised by its three-hall design, has been kept till now, in spite of the multiple reconstructions.

3. Cradle of art
Shamakhi is the birthplace of one of the 7 schools of carpet weavers of Azerbaijan – Shirvan. Shirvan carpets are characterized by special symbolic representations that have evolved over thousands of years and are closely associated with concepts and images of folk legends (hunting) and butas (almond or pinecone shaped motifs with sharp-curved upper ends). Some pictorial scenes on Shirvan carpets are identical to the petroglyphs found at the Gobustan Cultural Reserve.

In the 19th century the town became famous for its Shamakhi dancers, performers in entertainment groups similar to tawaifs. The traditional dancers are depicted in paintings and novels of the time throughout Europe, particularly recounted in French novelist Arthur de Gobineau’s “La Danseuse de Shamakha” (The Dancer of Shamakhi).